Moss: No longer a Patriot?
After a 38-24 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, the Patriots’ star wide receiver, Randy Moss, made comments that may hint at his retirement next season. On Tuesday he reinforced retirement rumours with additional statements made to the Associated Press.
Moss says he doesn’t feel appreciated with the Patriots and he believes that having to wait until after the season before getting a new contract is a “smack in the face.” Moss went on to say, “Sometimes you want your boss to tell you, you’re doing a good job." Moss later said, "This is the last year of my contract. Nothing has been discussed. There’s not been anything said. Not a letter, nothing. I’m not saying that I want to stay here, but I love playing here.” Moss then ended by telling reporters, “I’m still in a contract for the New England Patriots, and I have a job to do.”
It looked as though the 33-year-old Moss just wanted to play good football and was willing to work for whoever really wanted him. But on Tuesday he added to those remarks.
Moss said he was “concerned” with how his coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft would react to the comments. He reportedly met with Belichick on Monday and was told to watch what he does and says. After that meeting he told reporters that he wants to “retire as a Patriot”. He said earlier last week that “nothing’s been discussed”. He doesn’t think he’ll be back in the 2011 season. Now, as his three year contract ends, he wants to “retire as a Patriot.” If we put the two together it could spell the end of a great 13-year career.
Moss has been with the Patriots since the 2007-08 season and in that time he has had three seasons running over 1000 yards. In 2007 he caught 23 touchdowns, surpassing Jerry Rice’s 1987 season 22 catches, setting a new record for single season touchdown receptions. This was a large contribution to New England’s perfect record going 16-0 in the regular season. If the Patriots don’t want him, somebody else certainly will. The question is: will Moss want to go?
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